LOST ART OF FOUNTAIN PENS? NOT SO!
Not so!
Fret not, for there is a haven which specializes in fountain pen restoration and preservation as our important companions of our life
During this pandemic, we reacquainted with our own homes, rediscovered rooms and revisited passages that we once knew — perhaps even uncovered spaces we seemed to have forgotten.
We dared to venture into a dreaded area — more like an unwilling bodega — in an attempt to declutter.
We reluctantly attacked the ages-old drawers and cabinets, where we discovered antique treasures both big and small. And among several rare finds, we chanced upon the endless clusters of fountain pens — mostly passed down through generations.
Although functional no more, they were genuine heirlooms of times gone by. It made us reminisce about our grandads, who used these pens just to solve the newspaper crossword puzzles, while our fathers must have continuously used these as the only writing instruments back then.
Now at a personal crossroads — we ask ourselves: do we throw them away? A big no!
Fret not, for there is a haven that specializes in fountain pen restoration and preservation as important companions of our life.
This is how I discovered JP’s Pen Spa and Nibworks, owned and managed by Jun Reinoso who is known as a nibsmith and nibmeister worldwide.
He’s a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), his alma mater since high school and where he finished two courses — Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Bachelor of Science in Pre-Med.
He is married to the former Goya Valera Feria. They have three married children and three beautiful grandchildren.
Here are snippets of our conversation on this fascinating world of metal and ink:
Edu Jarque (EJ): What sparked your interest in pens?
Jun Reinoso (JR): I started using pens for writing during my high school days at UST. Since then, I’ve maintained and took care of the instruments that express my thoughts.
EJ: Where did you learn the necessary skills to maintain your pens and eventually, those of others?
JR: I learned to maintain, repair and restore pens on my own, supplemented by online learning courses from other nibsmiths and pen restorers in the USA.
In 2009, having learned the necessary skills, I started to offer maintenance and repair of other’s pens.
EJ: What services do you offer?
JR: JP’s Pen Spa & Nibworks has Custom Nib Modification, Nib Repair and Restoration, Nib Tuning and Alignment, as well as Repair and Restoration of Vintage and Modern Pens.
EJ: What are the usual problems of pens?
JR: A scratchy nib and inconsistent ink flow are the main culprits. Damaged nibs due to falls are likewise common ones.
EJ: Where do your clients come from?
JR: Currently, they come as far north as Baguio City and south as Davao City, with many Visayan cities in between. But majority of them are from the National Capital Region, mainly from Metro Manila. However, I’ve also serviced and repaired pens from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and the USA.
This is how I discovered JP’s Pen Spa and Nibworks, owned and managed by Jun Reinoso who is known as a nibsmith and nibmeister all throughout the world.
EJ: What kinds of pens do you service?
JR: Both 1920s to the 1970s vintage pens and 1980s to the present modern ones.
I obtain my pen replacement parts from authorized and official sellers in the US and Europe. I’ve serviced known pen brands such as Montblanc, Pelikan, Parker, Sheaffer, Waterman, Pilot, Platinum, Sailor, plus several manufacturers from Italy.
EJ: What has been your most challenging job to date?
JR: Fifty pens of the same model were modified to have Cursive Italic nibs. This was used by a local seller as their very own exclusive custom product at the Singapore Pen Show some years ago.
EJ: What are your favorite dream pens?
JR: I don’t have any particular dream pen or grail pen as they call them in our fountain pen community. I only use pens with nibs that I like for my writing and note taking. Of course, I prefer those I have personally modified at my Pen Spa. My favorite nibs are Cursive Italics which gives beautiful line variations to my writing.
Being a utilitarian, I give away pre-loved pens to my friends who might find joy with my custom nibs. I likewise make donations to schools to promote fountain pens to our younger generation who may have never seen nor scribbled with one.